Back home, loved OKW! Trip details :)

[ncjenkins]

We purchased DVC points in the resale market last year after posting here and getting great information. We are a family of 11 (not a typo) so we had a few unusual questions and concerns before taking the plunge. We purchased OKW points through The Timeshare Store (great experience with them). We had not visited OKW so we were a little hesitant to purchase there based on pictures and recommendations alone but had viewed some other resorts in the past and they were all lovely. For price per point and unit size we felt like OKW was a wise choice and we couldn't go wrong really.
Due to our family size (9 kids ages 3-21) we always need a Grand Villa (which means lots of points).
We banked and borrowed for a 10 night stay a few weeks ago in March.

The resort is beautiful!!! The architecture was charming!!! The GV was very large and worked quite well for us. It was an updated unit and we thought it was very pretty. Not my personal decorating tastes exactly but I have that at home so a change was refreshing. The main pool was awesome and the smaller pool by our building was nice and quiet, until we got there. We ate at the walk-up QS counter by the main pool and it was better than we expected with a good variety. Rented a surrey (sp?) bike or whatever you call that one that seats 4-6 and rode it all over the resort one afternoon. Just loved the place top to bottom! We have visited almost all the resorts now and if we had our pick again it would be OKW.

We went to DTD a number of times and highly recommend Wolf Gang Puck breakfast, lunch, or dinner! We went to DTD a few times just to eat there alone and came back. We rode the boat over there a few times (night and day) right from the resort and it was really a nice commute that way.

Next visit we will not try to cram 7 parks days into our visit though...We were exhausted and wished we had scheduled more down time.

Ate at some yummy places while we were there and have listed a few that we will make sure to visit again next time.

Wolfgang Puck – DTD
Bakery in France – Epcot (best snacks we had while there!!!)
Boma – AK Lodge (breakfast and dinner was great!)
Ohana – Polynesian
Grand Floridian Cafe
1900 Park Fare – Grand Floridian (really fun character dining experience)
Teppan Edo, Japan- Epcot

For months we gleaned some really great information on this board and wanted to support it by posting back our experience.

The trip was fabulous!

 

[cvjw]

Sounds like a great trip! OKW is the only DVC resort at Disney that we haven't stayed at - and we own points there. We may give OKW a try in January.

 

[WDWMom]

Glad you had a great trip! We own at OKW and love there. Nothing at all like our home either. We leave in 4 days and I can't wait to see the renos. I've seen pics and like it, but I am still reserving judgement until we get there.

 

[beccasmom]

I am glad you enjoyed our home resort! . We are not fans of the remodeled rooms - we loved the older design - but we love all the space and the beauty of the overall resort. It has a wonderful relaxing quality and we always enjoy our stays there!

 

[Candy Orlando]

It's always nice to hear about a great trip. The OKW Grand Villas are beautiful. Did you know the lighthouse at the pool has a sauna in it? There is a basketball court behind the tennis courts. Did you go to the campfire for s'mores? Welcome home!

 

[wrighter]

Our first ever family trip to WDW we stayed at OKW - it will always hold a special place in our hearts! We don't own there, but have stayed there twice - with a third trip coming up this fall! Love the big balconies there. And DH loves the "Margaritaville" feel of the place. He's a Parrothead.

To the PP who mentioned campfire and s'mores: WHAT? They have a campfire and s'mores at OKW? How could I have possibly missed that! Tell me more! Where do they do them? Are they every night or only certain nights of the week? My kids would go nuts for this.

 

[Cee]

Another OKW lover joins the ranks!

Welcome to the family...and welcome home.

 

[stopher1]

We'll be there in just over a week... and can't wait! It is such a nice resort.

My boys and I have stayed there, plus I've been there solo - but my DW and DD have not yet - and are looking foward to a new experience.